27.02.2023

The PLA’s ground-breaking safety initiative begins

The Port of London Authority (PLA) has begun its first ever ‘Safe Boarding Week’ today (27 February), a seven-day safety initiative that is the first of its kind in Europe.

‘Safe Boarding Week’ aims to increase awareness of safe access to and from vessels along the 95 miles of the tidal Thames that is in the PLA’s jurisdiction.

Throughout this week, the PLA will be inspecting the boarding facilities of cargo and passenger vessels, as well as terminal operators, jetties and piers. Responsibility for safe access on and off the vessels on the tidal Thames is shared between the master of the ship or vessel, in respect to Safe Access regulations, and the jetty or terminal operators, many of whom elect to abide to the Port Marine Safety Code. The PLA’s assessments will generate information that can be used to influence further safety improvements to safe boarding on the River Thames.

PLA’s chief harbour master Bob Baker said:

“Safety is at the heart of the what the PLA does every day; By launching this week-long safety initiative, we are taking a proactive approach to safe vessel access on the River Thames.”